Slayer Announces Dates for Farewell Tour

Story by Charles Ken, photo by Anne Erickson

It’s not the kind of news metal fans were hoping to hear to kick off the week, but longtime metal band Slayer has announced that it will embark on its final tour. The band – who helped craft the thrash sound with influential albums such as 1986’s “Reign in Blood” and 1988’s “South of Heaven” – announced the news Monday (Jan. 22), stating that the group would “make its exit with one final, world tour” this year.

Slayer has confirmed that their farewell trek will include a bevy of heavy metal openers, including Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Behemoth. “The end of days is near…Slayer to make its exit with one final world tour,” states a video posted to the group’s official YouTube channel. The end of the video confirms, “Slayer’s final North American tour dates coming.”

Now, Slayer has officially announced North American tour dates for the trek, and those dates are happening in a matter of months. The band will kick off the farewell tour May 10 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California, and stay on the road through a June 20 gig at Austin 360 Amphitheatre in Austin, Texas. View the full tour roster below.

“It’s truly an honor to be on Slayer’s final tour,” Anthrax’s Frank Bello said in a statement. “Anthrax and Slayer have toured together for decades, we are family, band and crew, so we want to help give Slayer the best send-off possible and to have one last blast with our friends. But you know, at the end of the day, Slayer will never die.”

Slayer has been through some lineup changes over the years. The current lineup features original members Kerry King (guitar) and Tom Araya (vocals, bass), as well as touring with guitarist Gary Holt and drummer Paul Bostaph. Founding drummer Dave Lombardo left the band in 2013, and original guitarist Jeff Hanneman passed away that same year.

Slayer 2018 North American Farewell Tour Dates:

5/10 – Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, CA*
5/11 – FivePoint Amphitheatre, Irvine, CA*
5/13 – Papa Murphy’s Park at Cal Expo, Sacramento, CA
5/16 – PNE forum, Vancouver, BC
5/17 – South Okanagan Events Centre, Penticton, BC
5/19 – Big Four, Calgary, AL*
5/20 – Shaw Centre, Edmonton, AB*
5/22 – Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB*
5/24 – The Armory, Minneapolis, MN*
5/25 – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL
5/27 – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre @ Freedom Hill, Detroit, MI
5/29 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON
5/30 – Place Bell, Montreal, PQ
6/1 – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT
6/2 – PNC Banks Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
6/4 – Santander Arena, Reading, PA
6/6 – Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, OH
6/7 – Blossom Music Center, Cleveland, OH
6/9 – KeyBank Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA
6/10 – Jiffy Lube Live, Bristow, VA
6/12 – VUHL Amphitheatre, Virginia Beach, VA
6/14 – PNC Music Pavilion, Charlotte, NC*
6/15 – Orlando Amphitheatre, Orlando, FL
6/17 – Smart Financial Center, Houston, TX
6/19 – The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX
6/20 – Austin 360 Amphitheatre, Austin, TX

* Designates without Anthrax.

Publication date: January 23, 2018

Charles Ken
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Posted by Charles Ken | Metal, Music, Rock, Rock News

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